The Saenger Theatre will be filled with a variety of popular and classical favorites performed by the U.S. Navy Band at 7:30 p.m. Monday with one of Pensacola's own coming home.

Chief Musician Lera League is the Navy Band command awards coordinator, ceremonial band operations chief and project manager for the Carl Fischer recording project.

League was born at Andrews Air Force Base just outside Washington, D.C., but was raised in Pensacola and graduated from Woodham High School.

"Coming back to Pensacola, I'm excited to see a bunch of people I haven't seen in a long time," she said. "My clarinet teacher is still there and it's gonna be really nice to have an opportunity to see people I don't normally get to see."

After receiving a bachelor's of music education from the University of Louisville in 1997 and a master's of music in clarinet performance from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, League continued her music career after enlisting in the Navy.

Twelve years later, she'll be returning to reunite with friends and play for the community in which she grew up.

League said when she joined the Navy she wanted to pursue music. Though she taught the clarinet before joining the Navy, it wasn't the same as playing.

"I taught in Texas before I got this job," she said. "I love teaching but I missed the interaction to be able to play and use my skill set to bring music to the masses."

When auditioning for a military band, a musician is considered for each group. League said each branch looks for different things in band candidates but they're all always looking for the highest-quality musician.

The Navy band consists of 174 enlisted musicians and four officers, and is comprised of different groups, such as a concert, jazz and bluegrass band, and a vocal group.

Today, 56 musicians from the concert band, the largest band group, are scheduled to perform at the Saenger.

Don Snowden, department head of the Pensacola State College Performing Arts Department and conductor of the Pensacola Civic Band, said the band only visits Pensacola once every four or five years, and this year's concert program won't disappoint.

"The Navy Band hasn't been here in a while," Snowden said. "They'll have a very interesting program with a variety of music including patriotic music, band classics and soloists. They always do a great job of pleasing the audience."

League said she's enjoyed her time with the Navy Band, especially playing for special events such presidential inaugurations and military parades.

"We get to play funerals at Arlington cemetery, where my dad is buried, and I love to play there," she said. "I've gotten a chance to be on both sides – the family side and the musician side – and play for families of fallen soldiers. It can be emotional."

In her 12 years of being part of the band, League has gotten to play during President Reagan's funeral and at both of President Obama's inaugurations.

Today's concert is free but tickets are required. They can be picked up at the Lyceum Ticket Office at PSC or at the Saenger Theatre. Unclaimed seats will be available just prior to the concert.